A packed delegation of VIPs, senior tourism figures and international media travelled from 35 nations to attend the event, which was held in partnership with Conrad Algarve and Turismo do Algarve.

It was an evening of sweet success for countries across the continent. Still basking in Olympic glory, London fended off competition from the likes of Venice, St Petersburg, Stockholm, Madrid, Prague and Paris to win the coveted title of "Europe's Leading City Break Destination".